Boost Our Mission: Donate to SFA & Share Our Story

By Jason Walker • SFA Communications Director

Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s well-publicized push for local charitable giving, is coming up on Nov. 17. That means your inboxes and social media feeds are about to become awash in reminders to give to various organizations, big and small. 

SFA is not a government-supported organization. We rely on our network of supporters to advance our mission: the development and enhancement of sustainable farming systems through farmer-to-farmer networking, innovation, demonstration, and education.

In short, we couldn’t exist without tax-deductible donations from people like YOU.

Please give generously to SFA, and also consider making your support of SFA public. If your friends value issues like clean water, sustainable food production, humane treatment of animals, carbon sequestration, and boosting rural economies, share with them why SFA’s dedication to addressing these issues is worth their financial support. Make it your goal to share with just two people – either by email or Facebook – that you support SFA and why they should, too. 

Anyone, at any time, can make a tax-deductible donation to SFA on our homepage, or by mail to SFA, 4924 Upton Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410. You can also give anytime up to Nov. 17 at our GiveMN homepage; or, simply enter “SFA” in the search box at GiveMN.org. 

Solberg on Soil: Barn Raising for Pastured Poultry 

Editor’s Note: SFA Livestock & Grazing Specialist Kent Solberg (right) is well-known for his depth and breadth of knowledge on all things related to soil health. This occasional column in SFA Connect will briefly describe what Kent is currently thinking about.

"Barn Raising for Pastured Poultry” – SFA members and friends Lori Benson and Jim and Audra Chamberlin came together under the initiative of Mat Nix to help Linda and I remodel our winter chicken coop on Oct. 22. Pastured poultry have a number of benefits for pasture-based livestock operations (if you can manage the predators). A few benefits of poultry include the high-nitrogen manure readily utilized by pasture plants; aid in cattle manure cycling; and preying upon herbivorous insects, such as grasshoppers, that compete with ruminant livestock for forage. Many thanks to our "barn raising" crew!

Executive Director Position Announcement

The Sustainable Farming Association is seeking an experienced professional to lead our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to support the development and enhancement of sustainable farming systems through farmer-to-farmer networking, innovation, demonstration, and education.

The successful candidate will have experience raising and administering funds, guiding and managing an organization, and developing partnerships within the Minnesota sustainable ag community. If you are passionate about local farming and producers and have the requisite experience, we would love to hear from you. Please send a cover letter with your resume and salary requirements to directorsearch@sfa-mn.org.

To download the job description, click here. 

Check Your Membership & More on SFA Homepage

Ever wonder whether your SFA membership is current? Want to make a sustaining tax-deductible contribution to SFA? Forget what upcoming SFA events for which you registered? Our website has a new login feature that can provide answers to these questions.

Create an account by clicking the login link at the upper right on our homepage. Then, once logged in, you can view your SFA membership, easily register for upcoming events, make a donation, and much more.

Click these links for how-to videos on creating an account and logging into your account. These and other videos are always available on our YouTube page.

Williams, Breitkreutz, Solberg Will Return to MSHS

Featuring an array of nationally renowed soil health experts and farmers, SFA’s two-day Midwest Soil Health Summit is THE place for advanced soil health training.

Registration is now open for the 2017 conference, set for Feb. 15-16 at Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls. The 2017 speaker slate is still in progress but already confirmed to appear are Dr. Allen Williams, Kent Solberg, Grant Breitkreutz, Doug Landblom, and Dr. Scott Wells. Click here to register.

Also, scholarships are available for ag professionals, agency employees, and crop consultants to attend the 2017 MSHS. To apply for a scholarship, click here.

More information, including 2017 Sponsor/Exhibitor Registration information, is available on our MSHS homepage and our Soil Health Portal. 

SFA Video: 'Smell That Soil' With Allen Williams

During our ‘Dirt Rich: Building Soil Health Experts’ event Aug. 17 at the Allen Deutz farm in Marshall, Dr. Allen Williams demonstrated how smelling your soil can provide insights to soil health and biology, as well as determine what steps are necessary to improve balance. View the video here. 

Also, read Allen’s recent column where he totally nails it: “In Defense of Soil Health.”

'Groove With Gretchen' and Volunteer at SFA Conference

Volunteers are what make the SFA Conference so vibrant; sign up today to help us make the 2017 SFA Annual Conference our best yet.

Choose your job: parking, registration, session monitor, and more. All volunteers receive an SFA t-shirt and are practially guaranteed to have fun. Fill out this form with your preferences and Volunteer Coordinator Gretchen Boyum will contact you with the details. It’s that easy. Also:

Current students can receive a scholarship for half-price admission. All scholarship recipients must sign up for a volunteer shift. Fill out this form then email jerry@sfa-mn.org if you are interested in a scholarship. 

Sponsor/Exhibitor registration is open as well. The SFA Conference has a limited number of exhibitor space, so register today to ensure your spot. Click here to download a fillable signup form and return to jerry@sfa-mn.org. 

Thanks to all who voted for 2017 SFA Annual Conference topics. The top choices have been made and we’ll build them into the schedule, which will be available soon on our Annual Conference homepage.

Central Chapter Meeting is Nov. 18 in Brainerd

SFA Central Chapter is hosting a meeting and potluck from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at Sunup Ranch, 12316 County 18 SW, Brainerd. 

Hosted by Central Chapter board member Vickie Kettlewell, this event includes a potluck, farm tour and member meeting. Bring your ideas for upcoming SFA programming you’d like to see in the Central Chapter. Free for SFA members. Click here to RSVP.

Info: www.sfa-mn.org/Central or contact Lisa at 320.309.0746 or central@sfa-mn.org.

Check This Out

• According to “The role of ruminants in reducing agriculture's carbon footprint in North America,” ruminants really do rock!

Annual Conference Photo Feature

Photographer extraordinaire Crystal Liepa once again documented our 2016 Annual Conference, held Feb. 13, 2016, at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn. To learn more about Crystal, visit her website.

 

 

Also Noted

Transitioning to Organic Workshops: Registration is open for the University of Minnesota’s Transitioning to Organic Workshops, to be held Dec. 5-7 in Lamberton, St. Cloud and Rochester. These workshops are for both producers seeking more information about organic transition as well as farmers who are currently going through the transition process. Space is limited. RSVP and view agenda at http://eorganic.info/node/20617. Info: Constance Carlson, carl5114@umn.edu. 

Scholarship Opportunity: The Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry Scholarship Fund at the Rochester Area Foundation has announced a new scholarship for current practitioners interested in learning about sustainable ag or forestry. This scholarship could be used for registration at the SFA Annual Conference or Midwest Soil Health Summit, or for Deep Roots education. This scholarship is for current farm practitioners from Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona counties. Deadline is Dec. 15. To apply and learn more, visit protectourresources.org.

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